Copper wire

[Haydenmc]

So I was perusing the web yesterday searching for copper wire suppliers in oz.
I stumbled across these guys https://www.aemetal.com.au/Webstore/c-1 ... 00000.aspx and couldn't help but notice how cheap it was. Does anybody have experience dealing with this or similar companies and products?
Downsides I guess would be that it might be too soft and therefore pointless and perhaps it may oxidise and discolour the bark it's wrapped around.

Thanks guys

H

[DavidN]

Hi Haydenmc,
In my opinion, Copper wire needs to be annealed (heated to a certain temp and then cooled) which then softens the wire and makes it softer to use and apply to trees. Once applied to a tree, the wire hardens in place and is great at holding the branch in position. This copper wire is the raw stuff and not annealed as yet. If it was annealed then that would be a great bargain price.

David

[Steven]

G'day Hayden,

As David has said, the wire will need to be annealed before it is good for bonsai use. Annealing is the metallurgical term for heating and cooling the wire which makes it pliable by altering the cubic crystal structure. After bending around a branch, it hardens.

You can anneal the wire by using a blow torch or putting it into a fire. It should be heated to an even dull glow and then cooled. Doesn't matter if you cool it slowly or fast (in a bucket of water). Just be careful!

Regards,
Steven

[Scott Roxburgh]

I've looked into AE copper and a couple of other places in Aus and it works out MUCH cheaper to get your copper shipped from Japan, it is annealed and of great quality.

I've annealed copper before but its much nicer on your hands to use professional grade Japanese wire (the stuff from Jim Gremel in the US is good to).

[DavidN]

Totally agree with you Scott.

Thanks
David

[Haydenmc]

I did think it would be too easy if that stuff worked out to be any good.
No harm in asking, thanks Scott ill check out Jims stuff.

H

[mattgatenby]

I've looked into AE copper and a couple of other places in Aus and it works out MUCH cheaper to get your copper shipped from Japan, it is annealed and of great quality.

I've annealed copper before but its much nicer on your hands to use professional grade Japanese wire (the stuff from Jim Gremel in the US is good to).

Scott,

Do you have any suggested Japanese suppliers ?

Cheers
Matt

[Dario]

I've looked into AE copper and a couple of other places in Aus and it works out MUCH cheaper to get your copper shipped from Japan, it is annealed and of great quality.

I've annealed copper before but its much nicer on your hands to use professional grade Japanese wire (the stuff from Jim Gremel in the US is good to).

Hi Scott, apparently the copper wire that Jim Gremel anneals is softer than what is generally used in Japan...http://crataegus.com/2013/04/19/deep-in ... im-gremel/
Cheers, Dario.

[SteveT]

http://www.j-bonsai.com/product-list?ke ... mit=Search

[MattA]

I am wondering how people have come to the conclusion that the wire shown is not annealed? The manufactring process will leave the copper as such, it is only once it has been bent or manipulated that the copper will reharden.

[Jow]

I am wondering how people have come to the conclusion that the wire shown is not annealed? The manufactring process will leave the copper as such, it is only once it has been bent or manipulated that the copper will reharden.

Most copper wire i have seen is un-annealed post manufacture. Possibly as it is drawn into the different sizes that hardens the copper up?

[Ash]

One would suggest that you have to anneal your copper wire in straight lengths, otherwise you will work-harden it just curling it off the roll. Any suggestions for Japanese wire or Jim Gremel wire distributors to, or within Australia?
Ash

[Dutchie_Boy]

I have ordered in from http://www.j-bonsai.com/ I would recommend asking them to send you an invoice including the freightage costs and say hello to Maki-san.

Cheers

Mark

[MattA]

I am wondering how people have come to the conclusion that the wire shown is not annealed? The manufactring process will leave the copper as such, it is only once it has been bent or manipulated that the copper will reharden.

Most copper wire i have seen is un-annealed post manufacture. Possibly as it is drawn into the different sizes that hardens the copper up?

I am using copper wire straight from reels as manufactured, I also use recycled electrical wire which is definitely harder to bend than the new off reel stuff of a same size.....

[Jow]

Matt, have you used correctly annealed wire as a comparison? I have found it is softer than aluminium.